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Learning to play a musical instrument can be expensive. Luckily there are a range of organisations, trusts and grant providers who look to support aspiring musicians and projects. Further information can be found via the links below.
We have separated funding options into those for New players, Aspiring professionals and Community projects.

Funding for New Players

EMI Music Sound Foundation
The Foundation provides grants up to a total of £2,000 towards the purchase of musical instruments and/or equipment for individuals who are in full time education and Schools who require the equipment to fund music education. We also fund courses and training opportunities for music teachers who work within schools.Apply for an EMI grant

Gov.uk Music and Dance Scheme
This government scheme gives financial help for specialist education or training for young musicians and dancers. The Music and Dance Scheme provides grants and help with fees at 8 independent schools and 21 centres for advanced training.Visit www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme for further information

Benslow Music Trust
Benslow Instrument Loan Scheme is an unique UK charity that hires high quality instruments to talented young musicians. You can borrow from Benslow ILS if you are an orchestral string or woodwind player aged 7-25, have learned for 2 years and are passionate about your music.Apply for a Benslow Music Trust loan

Felicity Belfield Music Trust
The policy of the 'Trust' is to enable students to have an instrument worthy of their musical aptitude. Most students are recommended by their teacher as being worthy of a better instrument than they can afford. Subject to approval, the 'Trust' then buys (or shares the cost of) a suitable instrument for loan to the student, which must be returned when he/she reaches 25 years old.Apply for a Felicity Belfield Music Trust loan

Funding for Aspiring Professionals

Help Musicians UK
Every year Help Musicians UK give grants, provide opportunities and offer advice to talented musicians in the final stages of training and the first few years of working professionally. Their grants include an Emerging Artists Fund, Postgraduate Award, Peter Whittingham Jazz Award and Career Development Bursaries.Apply for a Help Musicians UK grant.

Hattori Foundation
The Hattori Foundation is a charitable trust offering awards to exceptionally talented young instrumental soloists or chamber ensembles whose talent and achievements give promise of an international career. Awards are split between the ‘Junior Award’ for those aged 15-20 and the ‘Senior Award’ for those aged 21 – 27.Apply for a Hattori Foundation Award.

Music For All
Music for All is the charity of the UK musical instrument industry. In our view, EVERYONE should have the opportunity to learn to play music. Sadly, many people are not fortunate enough to have access to musical instruments or ways to help them to learn and discover. Grants are available for individuals as well as schools and community groups.Apply for Music For All funding.

Youth Music
Youth Music’s grants programme provides funding for music-making projects in England. It is made up of three separate funds: Fund A offers small grants for high quality music-making projects and involves a simple application process. Fund B offers medium-sized grants for larger programmes of work. Fund C offers grants for strategic programmes to help embed sustainable, inclusive music-making across a local area.Apply for a Youth Music Project grant.

PRS for Music Foundation
PRS hopes to attract a broad range of excellent projects which make a real difference to everyone involved - music creators, performers, organisations and audiences across the UK. Their open funding supports: the creation and performance of outstanding new music in any genre, developing artists to their full potential and inspiring audiences.Apply for PRS Funding.

If you have any questions about funding opportunities, please feel free to contact us.